Back to the grind.
Tuesday, Kathryn decided we should go out to eat after her rowing class; so we ended up at Tapas De Arroyo on the Amstel. Amazing!
Wednesday I got an email from Joe Miech saying he was in town with his girlfriend and wanted some advice on what to do. I quickly realized we never made such a list for visitors, but I came up with a few ideas.
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In case you are wondering:
- “You have to go to the Reijks Museum” is a typical phrase you’ll hear from any Dutchman. Kathryn’s been and said it’s a beautiful building but a bit overwhelming. Up to you if you want to go
- We both liked the Resistance Museum (The Verzets). It detailed how the Dutch lived with or resisted the Nazis post-surrender.
- Kathryn says you should visit the Oudekerk for the church and the art installation on the roof (leaves in Sept)
- Van Gogh, “obviously”.
- She liked the Van Loon, an old wealthy merchant whose mansion is now open. I’m of the mindset of “if you’ve been to the Newport mansions, you can skip it”
- There’s currently a fair called “De Parade” in the south of the city (until Sept). Lots of local music and some food trucks, etc.
- The Dutch are known for their own whiskey called jenever (“yen-ay-ver”). There’s a great tasting place near the palace in Dam Sq. called Wynand Fockink
- The spectacle that is the red light district, just to say you’ve seen it
- The Botanical Garden turned 375 years old this year – if exotic plants interest you.
- There is a new zoo “concept” called “Micropia” – basically a zoo for microscopic animals. Haven’t been yet, but it sounds interesting. The zoo in general is better than anything in Boston, but a bit expensive.
- You should try Indonesian food and the rijsttafel (rice table). The two best places we’ve found are Indrapura in Rembrandtplein and Sama Sebo (near the big museums)
- If you want to try “traditional” Dutch food, I would go to Moeders (“Moo-ders”, or Mothers) on Rozengracht or Haesje Claes (not sure how to pronounce it 🙂 ) on Spuistraat
- If you want good Italian, Gusto near Nieuwemarkt.
- Good Indian: Taj Mahal in Marie Heinekenplein (behind the Heineken Brewery and Experience)
- Great Portuguese food: Girassol
- Good Spanish food/tapas: Tapas De Arroyo (the chorizo in cider is amazing)
- Best Apple Pie I’ve ever had: Winkel 43
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We met them for dinner at Haesje Claes, as they wanted a traditional Dutch meal. (Moeders was full)
Friday we met Carlos and Chris at Bar Hugo. Time flew by – we needed an Uber by 12:30 (Trams had stopped running)
Saturday we hosted a small party prior to going to the zoo for a special evening (at the zoo). Johanna and her model and actress sister Malin, Ben and Kieke, Peter (back from Liberia), Bec (not Rebecca from class) and Shelli joined us for Sgroppino pre-zoo and then we picnicked at the zoo. “Sue the Night” performed and Bec and I went on a special zoo tour at 8PM.
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Uggh. It’s getting dark by 9PM now. Still better than Boston, but depressing as “winter is coming”
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Sunday Kathryn met some expats for brunch while I caught up on TV. Then we left around 3:30 to go to Ben’s “open dag” (open day, or in America, open house). Kathryn bought a small notebook and we registered to win a free course. Afterwards, we had dinner at Morgan & Mees, a place we’ve passed numerous times. We tried Graceland for barbeque, but it appeared only the bartender was on duty.
Restaurants Visited
Tapas De Arroyo
Haesje Claes
Bar Hugo
Morgan & Mees